Systems, devices, and methods for power-efficient wireless communications between electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices and methods are provided for power-efficient wireless communications between electronic devices. In particular, the embodiments disclosed herein can reduce battery consumption in a transmitting electronic device and enhance data integrity of data received by a receiving electronic device. According to the embodiments, a first electronic device transmits advertising packets according to a wireless communications protocol, wherein the advertising packets include a first payload data. In response to receiving the advertising packets, a second electronic device can transmit a scan request to the first electronic device which, in turn, terminates the transmission of advertising packets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/626,611, filed Feb. 5, 2018, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to systems,devices, and methods for power-efficient wireless communications betweenelectronic devices. In particular, the embodiments disclosed hereinrelate to the use of advertising schemes for the wireless transmissionof data between electronic devices, which may include a low-poweredsensor device and a receiver.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of wireless connectivity between electronic devices hassteadily increased over the years. As Internet-enabled devices, such asInternet-of-Things (“IoT”) devices, have become ubiquitous, so to havethe components that enable these devices to wirelessly communicate witheach other. To keep up with the growing number of applications forwireless connectivity and communications, manufacturers of wirelesscommunications components, such as Bluetooth radios, have sought to addmore on-chip resources to their products. As a result, many commerciallyavailable wireless communications components have become complex systemson chip (“SOC”), providing numerous interfaces such as analog-to-digitalconverters, references, operational amplifiers, and the like.

For certain applications, however, the rising complexity of wirelesscommunications components have led to significant challenges in powerefficiency and/or data integrity. For example, with respect toelectronic devices having limited power, the inclusion of unneededfunctions can result in unwanted and unnecessary power consumption. Toillustrate, one example from the medical arts is an in vivo analytemonitoring system, in which a sensor control device (or other on bodydevice) is worn on the body of an individual to monitor an analyte levelin the body. The sensor control device may be configured to wirelesslytransmit sensor data to another device, from which the individual or herhealth care provider can review the individual's data and make therapydecisions. The sensor control device may also have a small form-factor,to increase comfort and convenience to the individual, and can include abattery that is not easily replaced or recharged. In this example, it isimportant for the sensor control unit to be as power efficient aspossible, so that the individual can continue to monitor her health.Similar challenges can arise in non-medical applications, such as withelectronic devices in the aerospace, marine or nanotechnology fields,where wireless communications between electronic devices having limitedpower are needed.

For these and other reasons, needs exist for methods, systems anddevices for power-efficient wireless communications between electronicdevices.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are example embodiments of systems, devices and methodsfor power-efficient wireless communications between electronic devices.According to one aspect of the embodiments, a first electronic devicetransmits a first plurality of advertising or advertisement packetsaccording to a wireless communications protocol, where the advertisingpackets can include a first payload data. In many of the embodimentsdisclosed herein, the wireless communications protocol can be aBluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”) protocol. According to anotheraspect of the embodiments, a second electronic device receives the firstplurality of advertising packets and, in response, transmits a scanrequest packet to the first electronic device. The first electronicdevice receives the scan request and, in response, terminates thetransmission of the first plurality of advertising packets.

In some embodiments, the first electronic device, in response toreceiving the scan request, can identify a second plurality ofadvertising packets that was not previously received by the secondelectronic device, and subsequently transmit a scan response packet tothe second electronic device. The scan response packet can include asecond payload data associated with the second plurality of advertisingpackets that was not previously received by the second electronicdevice.

The embodiments disclosed herein have application in both medical andnon-medical fields. As one example, the embodiments can be implementedin an analyte monitoring system, including a sensor control device (orother on body device) configured to be worn on an individual's body,where the sensor control unit includes one or more processors,non-transitory memory, wireless communications circuitry, and an analytesensor configured to sense an analyte level in a bodily fluid of theindividual. The sensor control device can have a small form-factor forthe individual's comfort and convenience. In addition, the sensorcontrol device can communicate with a reader device (or “reader”)according to a wireless communication protocol, such as by a BluetoothLow Energy protocol. In particular, instructions stored in the memory ofthe sensor control unit, when executed by the one or more processors,can cause the one or more processors to cause a transmission ofadvertising packets to the reader device, where the advertising packetscan include data indicative of a sensed analyte level. Furthermore, thetransmission of the advertising packets can be terminated upon thesensor control device receiving a scan request from the reader device.

Other systems, devices, methods, features and advantages of the subjectmatter described herein will be or will become apparent to one withskill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detaileddescription. It is intended that all such additional systems, devices,methods, features and advantages be included within this description, bewithin the scope of the subject matter described herein, and beprotected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features ofthe example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims,absent express recitation of those features in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to itsstructure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanyingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. Thecomponents in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter.Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, whererelative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustratedschematically rather than literally or precisely.

FIGS. 1A-1C are block diagrams depicting various wireless communicationsschemes between electronic devices.

FIG. 1D-1F are flow charts of example embodiments of methods forpower-efficient wireless communications between electronic devices.

FIG. 2A is a system overview of a sensor control device, reader,network, local computer system and trusted computer system.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram depicting an example embodiment of a reader.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams depicting example embodiments ofsensor control devices.

FIG. 4 is a timeline diagram depicting an example embodiment of anadvertising scheme for use in an analyte monitoring system.

FIG. 5 is another timeline diagram depicting an example embodiment of anadvertising scheme for use in an analyte monitoring system

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example embodiment of a method forpower-efficient wireless communications in an in vivo analyte monitoringsystem.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example embodiment of another method forpower-efficient wireless communications in an in vivo analyte monitoringsystem.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example embodiment of another method forpower-efficient wireless communications in an in vivo analyte monitoringsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to the particularembodiments described herein, as such may, of course, vary. It is alsoto be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited onlyby the appended claims.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure.Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from theactual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure are used with systems,devices, and methods for power-efficient wireless communications betweenelectronic devices. Accordingly, many embodiments include at least oneelectronic device that can have a compact form-factor and include alimited power supply, such as a battery. For example, some of theembodiments may be utilized with in vivo analyte monitoring systems fordetecting at least one analyte, such as glucose, in a bodily fluid(e.g., subcutaneously within the interstitial fluid (“ISF”) or blood,within the dermal fluid of the dermal layer, or otherwise). Accordingly,many embodiments include in vivo analyte sensors structurally configuredso that at least a portion of the sensor is, or can be, positioned inthe body of a user to obtain information about at least one analyte ofthe body. However, the embodiments disclosed herein can be used ineither medical or non-medical applications that incorporate electronicdevices having limited power.

Furthermore, for each and every embodiment of a method disclosed herein,systems and devices capable of performing each of those embodiments arecovered within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,embodiments of electronic devices, sensor control devices, readerdevices, and components thereof are disclosed, and these devices andcomponents can have one or more antenna for wireless communications,non-transitory memories (e.g., for storing instructions and data), powersources, wireless communication circuits, transmitters, receivers,processors and/or controllers (e.g., for executing instructions storedin memory) that can perform any and all method steps, or facilitate theexecution of any and all method steps.

As mentioned, electronic devices having limited power can often have acompact size or relatively small form factor, and this may lead toproblems or disadvantages relating to cost and power optimization, amongother issues. For example, one trend among component manufacturers hasbeen to include as many on-chip resources as possible to address a widevariety of applications. As a result, wireless components have becomerather complex systems on chip (“SOC”), providing various interfacessuch as analog-to-digital converters, references, operationalamplifiers, and the like. However, certain applications, such as sensingapplications, often do not require all the functionality and interfacesprovided in these multi-purpose catalog SOCs. Rather, sensingapplications may only need to be able to transmit data occasionally orperiodically at very low rates for use by one or more receivers. Thus,these multi-purpose catalog SOCs utilized for wireless communicationscan be costly and include unnecessary functions.

One approach that has been proposed for wireless communications inelectronic devices with limited power is to utilize a transmit-onlywireless architecture, in which the electronic device includes only thetransmit portion of a radio for transmitting data at a rate sufficientto ensure that a receiver can receive data as intended. However, due toa lack of acknowledgement from the receiver, and to ensure completenessof data, a transmit-only system would need to transmit at a rate andduration likely greater than necessary. This would result in a waste ofprecious battery capacity, which is highly undesirable in smallform-factor devices where changing or recharging a battery isinfeasible.

These embodiments and others described herein represent technologicalimprovements in the field of wireless electronic devices. As describedin further detail below, the embodiments disclosed herein can include,for example, a first electronic device utilizing a Bluetooth Low Energyadvertising scheme, in which a first payload data can be transmitted toa second electronic device. In response, a scan request can betransmitted from the second electronic device to the first electronicdevice, that serves to (1) acknowledge that a complete set of payloaddata has been received, and (2) cause the first electronic device toterminate the transmission of advertising packets and thus conservebattery life. In this regard, the disclosed embodiments reflect animprovement in power efficiency. As another advantage, to overcomecertain limitations associated with mobile operating systems, some ofthe embodiments disclosed herein can also utilize a scan response,transmitted from the first electronic device to the second electronicdevice, to backfill any missing payload data on the second electronicdevice. Thus, the embodiments also reflect an improvement in accuracyand device interoperability. Other improvements and advantages of thedisclosed embodiments are described below, and will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art.

Example Embodiments of Power-Efficient Wireless Communications Schemes

Provided herein are embodiments of power-efficient wirelesscommunications schemes for use between electronic devices having limitedpower. Many of the embodiments described herein can have application inthe medical arts, as described further below. Those of skill in the art,however, will recognize that these embodiments can have application innon-medical fields, such as aerospace, marine, and nanotechnologyfields, or any field of art in which wireless communications are desiredbetween electronic devices, where at least one of the electronic deviceshas a limited power supply or a power supply that cannot be easilyrecharged or replaced.

FIGS. 1A-1C are block diagrams depicting various wireless communicationsschemes between electronic devices. It will be understood by those ofskill in the art that the electronic devices shown in these Figures caneach include, at least, one or more processors, memory coupled to theone or more processors, wireless communications circuitry, and a powersupply. Furthermore, for any of the processes, methods, or method stepsdescribed below, those of skill in the art will understand that each ofthe steps included in the processes, methods, or method steps can bestored as instructions in the respective memories of the electronicdevices, and that the instructions, when executed by the one or morerespective processors of the electronic devices, can cause the one ormore respective processors to perform any of the processes, methods, ormethods steps described herein. It will also be apparent to those ofskill in the art that the wireless communications schemes describedherein can be performed according to a standard wireless protocol, suchas a Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, or a proprietarywireless protocol that is capable of unidirectional wirelesstransmissions, such as advertising, broadcasting, multicasting, and thelike.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram depicting wireless communications scheme 25between multiple electronic devices, including first electronic device10 and second electronic device 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, firstelectronic device 10 is capable of wirelessly communicating with secondelectronic device 20 via wireless communications link 35. In this case,wireless communications link 35 is a bi-directional connectionestablished between the first and second electronic devices 10, 20.First electronic device 10 is configured to both transmit and receivedata through wireless communications link 35, and can include amulti-function transceiver, such as a multi-function SoC wirelesscommunications component. As described earlier, problems of powerefficiency can arise in wireless communications scheme 25 particularlywhere first electronic device 10 has a limited power supply, and wherethe numerous functions of the multi-function SoC wireless communicationscomponent are not being utilized.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram depicting another wireless communicationsscheme 50 between first electronic device 10 and second electronicdevice 20. In this case, wireless communications scheme 50 depicts atransmit-only wireless architecture. As shown in FIG. 1B, firstelectronic device 10 includes only a transmit portion (e.g., transmitterwithout a receiver) in its wireless communications circuitry, andtransmits data through wireless communications link 55. Since noacknowledgement can be received from second electronic device 20, firstelectronic device 10 will repeatedly transmit data through wirelesscommunications link 55 for a period of time sufficient to ensure thatthe data has been received by second electronic device 20. As describedearlier, problems of power efficiency can also arise in wirelesscommunications scheme 50 because first electronic device 10 may continueto transmit even after second electronic device 20 has received thedata.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram depicting an example embodiment of wirelesscommunications scheme 75 between first electronic device 10 and secondelectronic device 20. According to one aspect of the embodiment, firstelectronic device 10 can transmit data using advertising packets, asdenoted by wireless communications link 65-A. In response to receivingadvertising packets, second electronic device 20 can return a scanrequest through wireless communications link 65-B, as denoted with adashed line. Upon receiving the scan request, first electronic device 10can terminate the transmission of advertising packets to secondelectronic device 20, and thus conserve power. Furthermore, in someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 1C, first electronic device 10 can alsoidentify, based on received scan requests, if second electronic device20 has not received any of the previously transmitted advertisingpackets. In response to identifying “missing” advertising packets, firstelectronic device 10 can transmit a scan response containing the missingdata to second electronic device 20 over wireless communications link65-C, to enhance integrity of the data on second electronic device 20.

FIGS. 1D-1F are flow diagrams depicting example embodiments of variousmethods for power-efficient wireless communications between electronicdevices, the steps of which relate to the embodiment previouslydescribed with respect to wireless communications scheme 75. Turning toFIG. 1D, a flow diagram is provided for a method 80 for power-efficientwireless communications between electronic devices. At Step 81, firstdevice 10 transmits a first plurality of advertising packets accordingto a wireless communications protocol, where the first plurality ofadvertising packets includes payload data. In some embodiments, forexample, where first device 10 is a sensor device, payload data caninclude information indicative of a sensed measurement (e.g.,temperature, pressure, force, acceleration, physiological parameter,etc.). At Step 82, the first plurality of advertising packets isreceived by a second device 20. In some embodiments, second device 20can be a reader device configured to visually output the sensedmeasurement to a display, such as a smart phone, tablet or wearablecomputing device. In other embodiments, second device 20 can be apersonal computer, laptop, workstation, server or any other computingdevice configured to wirelessly receive data. In response to receivingthe first plurality of advertising packets, second device 20 transmits ascan request packet to first device 10. At Step 83, in response toreceiving the scan request from second device 20, first device 10 canterminate the transmission of the first plurality of advertisingpackets, and thereby conserve power.

FIG. 1E is a flow diagram depicting a “data backfilling” feature of anexample embodiment of a method 85 for power-efficient wirelesscommunications between electronic devices. At Step 84, first device 10receives a scan request from second device 20, and subsequentlyidentifies a second plurality of advertising packets that was notreceived by second device 20. According to one aspect of theembodiments, each scan request transmitted by second device 20 can beassociated with a plurality of advertising packets received by seconddevice 20. First device 10 can then track the received scan requestsfrom second device 20, and thus can determine if second device 20 hasnot previously received certain advertising packets based on any missingreceived scan requests. If it is determined, for example, that seconddevice 20 has not received a second plurality of advertising packets, atStep 86, first device 10 can then transmit a scan response to seconddevice 20, where the scan response includes payload data associated withthe “missing” second plurality of advertising packets. At Step 87,second device 20 receives the scan response that includes the payloaddata. In this regard, method 85 can enhance data integrity on seconddevice 20.

FIG. 1F is a flow diagram depicting an example embodiment of a method 90for power-efficient wireless communications between electronic devices,where the second electronic device is a mobile computing device thatincludes a mobile operating system (e.g., Apple iOS, Android, etc.). AtStep 91, a plurality of Universal Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) areregistered with an Application Program Interface (API) of second device20. At Step 92, first device 10 repeatedly transmits a first pluralityof advertising packets in a randomized order, where the first pluralityof advertising packets includes a first payload data, and where each ofthe packets of the first plurality of advertising packets is associatedwith the plurality of UUIDs. At Step 93, second device 20 receives thefirst plurality of advertising packets and, based on the UUIDsassociated with the packets, passes the packets to a target applicationassociated with the UUIDs. At Step 94, second device 20 reassembles theadvertising packets based on packet order information that is stored ineach of the first plurality of advertising packets. At Step 95, seconddevice 20 then transmits a scan request packet to first device 10. AtStep 96, first device 10 receives the scan request and terminatestransmission of the first plurality of advertising packets, therebyconserving power. In some embodiments, at Step 97, first device 10 canalso identify a second plurality of advertising packets not received bysecond device 20, and transmit a scan response to second device 20,where the scan response includes a second payload data associated withthe “missing” second plurality of advertising packets. In this regard,the integrity of the data on second device 20 is enhanced.

Example Embodiments of Analyte Monitoring Systems

As mentioned earlier, the embodiments disclosed herein can be used ineither medical or non-medical applications that incorporate electronicdevices having limited power. To illustrate the implementation of theseembodiments in a particular field, an example medical field isdescribed, particularly that of analyte monitoring. While thisdescription helps elaborate and illustrate the details of theembodiments, it is merely an example of one of the many fields in whichthe embodiments can be implemented, including medical fields other thananalyte monitoring, and non-medical fields including (but not limitedto) those other fields described herein. Thus, to the extent theseembodiments are described with respect to devices intended for use inanalyte monitoring, it is intended that these embodiments are likewiseapplicable to generic electronic devices, or those that are for use inother fields.

Before describing these aspects of the embodiments in detail, however,it is first desirable to describe examples of devices that can bepresent within a system for use in analyte monitoring, such as, forexample, a sensor control device that transmits data measured with an invivo analyte sensor, as well as examples of these devices' operation,all of which can be used with the embodiments described herein.

There are various types of analyte monitoring systems. “ContinuousAnalyte Monitoring” systems (or “Continuous Glucose Monitoring”systems), for example, are in vivo systems that can transmit data from asensor control device to a reader device repeatedly or continuouslywithout prompting, e.g., automatically according to a schedule. “FlashAnalyte Monitoring” systems (or “Flash Glucose Monitoring” systems orsimply “Flash” systems), as another example, are in vivo systems thatcan transfer data from a sensor control device in response to a requestfor data by a reader device, such as with a Near Field Communication(NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) protocol. In vivo analytemonitoring systems can also operate without the need for finger stickcalibration.

In vivo monitoring systems can include a sensor that, while positionedin vivo, makes contact with the bodily fluid of the user and senses oneor more analyte levels contained therein. The sensor can be part of asensor control device that resides on the body of the user and containsthe electronics and power supply that enable and control the analytesensing. The sensor control device, and variations thereof, can also bereferred to as a “sensor control unit,” an “on-body electronics” deviceor unit, an “on-body” device or unit, or a “sensor data communication”device or unit, to name a few. As used herein, these terms are notlimited to devices with analyte sensors, and encompass devices that havesensors of other types, whether biometric or non-biometric. The term “onbody” refers to any device that resides directly on the body or in closeproximity to the body, such as a wearable device (e.g., glasses, watch,wristband or bracelet, neckband or necklace, etc.).

In vivo monitoring systems can also include one or more reader devicesthat receive sensed analyte data from the sensor control device. Thesereader devices can process and/or display the sensed analyte data, inany number of forms, to the user. These devices, and variations thereof,can be referred to as “handheld reader devices,” “reader devices” (orsimply, “readers”), “handheld electronics” (or handhelds), “portabledata processing” devices or units, “data receivers,” “receiver” devicesor units (or simply receivers), “relay” devices or units, or “remote”devices or units, to name a few. Other devices such as personalcomputers have also been utilized with or incorporated into in vivo andin vitro monitoring systems.

In vivo analyte monitoring systems can be differentiated from “in vitro”systems that contact a biological sample outside of the body (or rather“ex vivo”) and that typically include a meter device that has a port forreceiving an analyte test strip carrying bodily fluid of the user, whichcan be analyzed to determine the user's blood sugar level.

In vivo analyte monitoring systems can be differentiated from “in vitro”systems that contact a biological sample outside of the body (or rather“ex vivo”) and that typically include a meter device that has a port forreceiving an analyte test strip carrying a bodily fluid of the user,which can be analyzed to determine the user's analyte level. Asmentioned, the embodiments described herein can be used with in vivosystems, in vitro systems, and combinations thereof.

The embodiments described herein can be used to monitor and/or processinformation regarding any number of one or more different analytes.Analytes that may be monitored include, but are not limited to, acetylcholine, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol, chorionic gonadotropin,glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB),creatine, creatinine, DNA, fructosamine, glucose, glucose derivatives,glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones, ketone bodies, lactate,peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroidstimulating hormone, and troponin. The concentration of drugs, such as,for example, antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like),digitoxin, digoxin, drugs of abuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may alsobe monitored. In embodiments that monitor more than one analyte, theanalytes may be monitored at the same or different times

FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram depicting an example embodiment of an invivo analyte monitoring system 100 that includes a sensor control device102 and a reader device 120. Sensor control device 102 (which is furtherdescribed with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B) can be applied to amonitoring location on a user's skin such that a sensor 104 ismaintained in position in the user's body for a period of time by anadhesive patch 105. In addition, sensor control device 102 and reader120 can communicate with each over a local communication path (or link)140. In embodiments where path 140 is wireless, a wireless communicationprotocol such as Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, BTLE, BluetoothSMART, Bluetooth SMART Ready, etc.) can be used. Bluetooth is awell-known standardized short range wireless communication protocol, andBluetooth Low Energy is a version of the same that requires less powerto operate. A version of BTLE is described in the BluetoothSpecification, version 4.0, published Jun. 30, 2010. In otherembodiments, other wireless communications protocols can be used, suchas Wi-Fi, a proprietary protocol, or any other wireless communicationprotocol in existence as of the date of this filing or their laterdeveloped variants.

Reader device 120 is also capable of wired, wireless, or combinedcommunication with a computer system 170 (e.g., a local or remotecomputer system) over communication path (or link) 141 and with anetwork 190, such as the internet or the cloud, over communication path(or link) 142. Communication with network 190 can involve communicationwith trusted computer system 180 within network 190, or though network190 to computer system 170 via communication link (or path) 143.Communication paths 141, 142, and 143 can be wireless, wired, or both,can be uni-directional or bi-directional, and can be part of atelecommunications network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the internet, or other datanetwork. In some cases, communication paths 141 and 142 can be the samepath. All communications over paths 140, 141, and 142 can be encrypted,and sensor control device 102, reader device 120, computer system 170,and trusted computer system 180 can each be configured to encrypt anddecrypt those communications sent and received.

Variants of devices 102 and 120, as well as other components of an invivo-based analyte monitoring system that are suitable for use with thesystem, device, and method embodiments set forth herein, are describedin US Patent Application Publ. No. 2011/0213225 (the '225 Publication),which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for allpurposes.

Referring still to FIG. 2A, sensor control device 102 can include ahousing 103 containing in vivo analyte monitoring circuitry and a powersource. In this embodiment, the in vivo analyte monitoring circuitry iselectrically coupled with an analyte sensor 104 that extends through anadhesive patch 105 and projects away from housing 103. Adhesive patch105 contains an adhesive layer (not shown) for attachment to a skinsurface of the body of the user. Other forms of body attachment to thebody may be used, in addition to or instead of adhesive.

Sensor 104 is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the body ofthe user, where it can make fluid contact with that user's bodily fluid(e.g., subcutaneous (subdermal) fluid, dermal fluid, or blood) and beused, along with the in vivo analyte monitoring circuitry, to measureanalyte-related data of the user. Sensor 104 and any accompanying sensorcontrol electronics can be applied to the body in any desired manner.For example, an insertion device (not shown) can be used to position allor a portion of analyte sensor 104 through an external surface of theuser's skin and into contact with the user's bodily fluid. In doing so,the insertion device can also position sensor control device 102 withadhesive patch 105 onto the skin. In other embodiments, insertion devicecan position sensor 104 first, and then accompanying sensor controlelectronics can be coupled with sensor 104 afterwards, either manuallyor with the aid of a mechanical device. Examples of insertion devicesare described in U.S. Publication Nos. 2008/0009692, 2011/0319729,2015/0018639, 2015/0025345, and 2015/0173661, all which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entireties and for all purposes.

After collecting raw data from the user's body, sensor control device102 can apply analog signal conditioning to the data and convert thedata into a digital form of the conditioned raw data. In someembodiments, this conditioned raw digital data can be encoded fortransmission to another device, e.g., reader device 120, which thenalgorithmically processes that digital raw data into a final formrepresentative of the user's measured biometric (e.g., a form readilymade suitable for display to the user). This algorithmically processeddata can then be formatted or graphically processed for digital displayto the user. In other embodiments, sensor control device 102 canalgorithmically process the digital raw data into the final form that isrepresentative of the user's measured biometric (e.g., analyte level)and then encode and wirelessly communicate that data to reader device120, which in turn can format or graphically process the received datafor digital display to the user. In other embodiments, sensor controldevice 102 can graphically process the final form of the data such thatit is ready for display, and display that data on a display of sensorcontrol device 102 or transmit the data to reader device 120. In someembodiments, the final form of the biometric data (prior to graphicprocessing) is used by the system (e.g., incorporated into a diabetesmonitoring regime) without processing for display to the user. In someembodiments, sensor control device 102 and reader device 120 cantransmit the digital raw data to another computer system for algorithmicprocessing and display.

Reader device 120 can include a display 122 to output information to theuser and/or to accept an input from the user, and an optional inputcomponent 121 (or more), such as a button, actuator, touch sensitiveswitch, capacitive switch, pressure sensitive switch, jog wheel or thelike, to input data, commands, or otherwise control the operation ofreader device 120. In certain embodiments, display 122 and inputcomponent 121 may be integrated into a single component, for example,where the display can detect the presence and location of a physicalcontact touch upon the display, such as with a touch screen userinterface. In certain embodiments, input component 121 of reader device120 may include a microphone and reader device 120 may include softwareconfigured to analyze audio input received from the microphone, suchthat functions and operation of the reader device 120 may be controlledby voice commands. In certain embodiments, an output component of readerdevice 120 includes a speaker (not shown) for outputting information asaudible signals. Similar voice responsive components such as a speaker,microphone and software routines to generate, process and store voicedriven signals may be included in sensor control device 102.

Reader device 120 can also include one or more data communication ports123 for wired data communication with external devices such as computersystem 170 or sensor control device 102. Example data communicationports include USB ports, mini USB ports, USB Type-C ports, USB micro-Aand/or micro-B ports, RS-232 ports, Ethernet ports, Firewire ports, orother similar data communication ports configured to connect to thecompatible data cables. Reader device 120 may also include an integratedor attachable in vitro glucose meter, including an in vitro test stripport (not shown) to receive an in vitro glucose test strip forperforming in vitro blood glucose measurements.

Reader device 120 can display the measured biometric data wirelesslyreceived from sensor control device 102 and can also be configured tooutput alarms, alert notifications, glucose values, etc., which may bevisual, audible, tactile, or any combination thereof. Further detailsand other display embodiments can be found in, e.g., U.S. Publication2011/0193704, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

Reader device 120 can function as a data conduit to transfer themeasured data from sensor control device 102 to computer system 170 ortrusted computer system 180. In certain embodiments, the data receivedfrom sensor control device 102 may be stored (permanently ortemporarily) in one or more memories of reader device 120 prior touploading to system 170, 180 or network 190.

Computer system 170 may be a personal computer, a server terminal, alaptop computer, a tablet, or other suitable data processing device.Computer system 170 can be (or include) software for data management andanalysis and communication with the components in analyte monitoringsystem 100. Computer system 170 can be used by the user or a medicalprofessional to display and/or analyze the biometric data measured bysensor control device 102. In some embodiments, sensor control device102 can communicate the biometric data directly to computer system 170without an intermediary such as reader device 120, or indirectly usingan internet connection (also, optionally, without first sending the datato reader device 120). Operation and use of computer system 170 isfurther described in the '225 Publication incorporated herein. Analytemonitoring system 100 can also be configured to operate with a dataprocessing module (not shown), also as described in the incorporated'225 Publication.

Trusted computer system 180 can be within the possession of themanufacturer or distributor of sensor control device 102, eitherphysically or virtually through a secured connection, and can be used toperform authentication of sensor control device 102, for secure storageof the user's biometric data, and/or as a server that serves a dataanalytics program (e.g., accessible via a web browser) for performinganalysis on the user's measured data.

Example Embodiments of Reader Devices

Reader device 120 can be a mobile communication device such as adedicated reader device (configured for communication with a sensorcontrol device 102, and optionally a computer system 170, but withoutmobile telephony communication capability), or a mobile telephoneincluding, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi or internet-enabled smart phone,tablet, or personal digital assistant (PDA). Examples of smart phonescan include those mobile phones based on a Windows® operating system,Android™ operating system, iPhone® operating system, Palm® WebOS™,Blackberry® operating system, or Symbian® operating system, with datanetwork connectivity functionality for data communication over aninternet connection and/or a local area network (LAN).

Reader device 120 can also be configured as a mobile smart wearableelectronics assembly, such as an optical assembly that is worn over oradjacent to the user's eye (e.g., a smart glass or smart glasses, suchas Google glasses, which is a mobile communication device). This opticalassembly can have a transparent display that displays information aboutthe user's analyte level (as described herein) to the user while at thesame time allowing the user to see through the display such that theuser's overall vision is minimally obstructed. The optical assembly maybe capable of wireless communications similar to a smart phone. Otherexamples of wearable electronics include devices that are worn around orin the proximity of the user's wrist (e.g., a watch, etc.), neck (e.g.,a necklace, etc.), head (e.g., a headband, hat, etc.), chest, or thelike.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a reader device120 configured as a smart phone. Here, reader device 120 includes aninput component 121, display 122, and processing circuitry 206, whichcan include one or more processors, microprocessors, controllers, and/ormicrocontrollers, each of which can be a discrete chip or distributedamongst (and a portion of) a number of different chips. Here, processingcircuitry 206 includes a communications processor 202 having on-boardmemory 203 and an applications processor 204 having on-board memory 205.Reader device 120 further includes RF communication circuitry 208coupled with an RF antenna 209, a memory 210, multi-functional circuitry212 with one or more associated antennas 214, a power supply 216, andpower management circuitry 218. FIG. 2 is an abbreviated representationof the typical hardware and functionality that resides within a smartphone and those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize thatother hardware and functionality (e.g., codecs, drivers, glue logic) canalso be included.

Communications processor 202 can interface with RF communicationcircuitry 208 and perform analog-to-digital conversions, encoding anddecoding, digital signal processing and other functions that facilitatethe conversion of voice, video, and data signals into a format (e.g.,in-phase and quadrature) suitable for provision to RF communicationcircuitry 208, which can then transmit the signals wirelessly.Communications processor 202 can also interface with RF communicationcircuitry 208 to perform the reverse functions necessary to receive awireless transmission and convert it into digital data, voice, andvideo. RF communication circuitry 208 can include a transmitter and areceiver (e.g., integrated as a transceiver) and associated encoderlogic.

Applications processor 204 can be adapted to execute the operatingsystem and any software applications that reside on reader device 120,process video and graphics, and perform those other functions notrelated to the processing of communications transmitted and receivedover RF antenna 209. The smart phone operating system will operate inconjunction with a number of applications on reader device 120. Anynumber of applications (also known as “user interface applications”) canbe running on reader device 120 at any one time, and may include one ormore applications that are related to a diabetes monitoring regime, inaddition to the other commonly used applications that are unrelated tosuch a regime, e.g., email, calendar, weather, sports, games, etc. Forexample, the data indicative of a sensed analyte level and in vitroblood analyte measurements received by the reader device can be securelycommunicated to user interface applications residing in memory 210 ofreader device 120. Such communications can be securely performed, forexample, through the use of mobile application containerization orwrapping technologies.

Memory 210 can be shared by one or more of the various functional unitspresent within reader device 120, or can be distributed amongst two ormore of them (e.g., as separate memories present within differentchips). Memory 210 can also be a separate chip of its own. Memories 203,205, and 210 are non-transitory, and can be volatile (e.g., RAM, etc.)and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, flash memory, F-RAM, etc.).

Multi-functional circuitry 212 can be implemented as one or more chipsand/or components (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transceiver, and/orother communication circuitry) that perform other functions such aslocal wireless communications, e.g., with sensor control device 102under the appropriate protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy,Wi-Fi, proprietary protocols, and others) and determining the geographicposition of reader device 120 (e.g., global positioning system (GPS)hardware). One or more other antennas 214 are associated with thefunctional circuitry 212 as needed to operate with the various protocolsand circuits.

Power supply 216 can include one or more batteries, which can berechargeable or single-use disposable batteries. Power managementcircuitry 218 can regulate battery charging and power supply monitoring,boost power, perform DC conversions, and the like.

Reader device 120 can also include or be integrated with a drug (e.g.,insulin, etc.) delivery device such that they, e.g., share a commonhousing. Examples of such drug delivery devices can include medicationpumps having a cannula that remains in the body to allow infusion over amulti-hour or multi-day period (e.g., wearable pumps for the delivery ofbasal and bolus insulin). Reader device 120, when combined with amedication pump, can include a reservoir to store the drug, a pumpconnectable to transfer tubing, and an infusion cannula. The pump canforce the drug from the reservoir, through the tubing and into thediabetic's body by way of the cannula inserted therein. Other examplesof drug delivery devices that can be included with (or integrated with)reader device 120 include portable injection devices that pierce theskin only for each delivery and are subsequently removed (e.g., insulinpens). A reader device 120, when combined with a portable injectiondevice, can include an injection needle, a cartridge for carrying thedrug, an interface for controlling the amount of drug to be delivered,and an actuator to cause injection to occur. The device can be usedrepeatedly until the drug is exhausted, at which point the combineddevice can be discarded, or the cartridge can be replaced with a newone, at which point the combined device can be reused repeatedly. Theneedle can be replaced after each injection.

The combined device can function as part of a closed-loop system (e.g.,an artificial pancreas system requiring no user intervention to operate)or semi-closed loop system (e.g., an insulin loop system requiringseldom user intervention to operate, such as to confirm changes indose). For example, a diabetic's analyte level can be monitored in arepeated automatic fashion by sensor control device 102, which can thencommunicate that monitored analyte level to reader device 120, and theappropriate drug dosage to control the diabetic's analyte level can beautomatically determined and subsequently delivered to the diabetic'sbody. Software instructions for controlling the pump and the amount ofinsulin delivered can be stored in the memory of reader device 120 andexecuted by the reader device's processing circuitry. These instructionscan also cause calculation of drug delivery amounts and durations (e.g.,a bolus infusion and/or a basal infusion profile) based on the analytelevel measurements obtained directly or indirectly from sensor controldevice 102. In some embodiments sensor control device 102 can determinethe drug dosage and communicate that to reader device 120.

Example Embodiments of Sensor Control Devices

FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams depicting example embodiments ofsensor control devices 102 each including an analyte sensor 104 andsensor electronics 250 (including analyte monitoring circuitry) that,collectively, can have the majority of the processing capability forrendering end-result data, such as analyte metrics, which are suitablefor display to the user. In FIG. 3A, a single semiconductor chip 251 isdepicted that can be a custom application specific integrated circuit(ASIC). Shown within ASIC 251 are certain high-level functional units,including an analog front end (AFE) 252, power management (or control)circuitry 254, processor 256, and communication circuitry 258 (which canbe implemented as a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, passive circuit,or otherwise according to the communication protocol). In thisembodiment, both AFE 252 and processor 256 are used as in vivo analytemonitoring circuitry, but in other embodiments either circuit canperform the monitoring functions. Processor 256 can include one or moreprocessors, microprocessors, controllers, and/or microcontrollers, eachof which can be a discrete chip or distributed amongst (and a portionof) a number of different chips.

A non-transitory memory 253 is also included within ASIC 251 and can beshared by the various functional units present within ASIC 251, or canbe distributed amongst two or more of them. Memory 253 can also be aseparate chip. Memory 253 can be volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Inthis embodiment, ASIC 251 is coupled with power source 260, which can bea coin cell battery, or the like. AFE 252 interfaces with in vivoanalyte sensor 104 and receives measurement data therefrom and outputsthe data to processor 256 in digital form. Processor 256, in turn, canexecute one or more instructions stored in memory 253, which can causeprocessor 256 to process the data. This data can then be provided tocommunication circuitry 258 for sending, by way of antenna 261, toreader device 120 (not shown), for example, where minimal furtherprocessing is needed by the resident software application to display thedata. Antenna 261 can be configured according to the needs of theapplication and communication protocol. Antenna 261 can be, for example,a printed circuit board (PCB) trace antenna, a ceramic antenna, or adiscrete metallic antenna. Antenna 261 can be configured as a monopoleantenna, a dipole antenna, an F-type antenna, a loop antenna, andothers.

Information may be communicated from sensor control device 102 to asecond device (e.g., reader device 120) at the initiative of sensorcontrol device 102 or reader device 120. For example, information can betransmitted repeatedly (e.g., continuously) by sensor control device 102when the analyte information is available, or according to a schedule(e.g., about every 1 minute, about every 5 minutes, about every 10minutes, or the like), in which case the information can be stored orlogged in a memory of sensor control device 102 for later communication.The information can be transmitted from sensor control device 102 inresponse to receipt of a request by the second device. This request canbe an automated request, e.g., a request transmitted by the seconddevice according to a schedule, or can be a request generated at theinitiative of a user (e.g., an ad hoc or manual request). In someembodiments, the second device can transmit a polling signal or datapacket to sensor control device 102, and device 102 can treat each poll(or polls occurring at certain time intervals) as a request for dataand, if data is available, then can transmit such data to the seconddevice. In many embodiments, the communication between sensor controldevice 102 and the second device are secure (e.g., encrypted and/orbetween authenticated devices), but in some embodiments the data can betransmitted from sensor control device 102 in an unsecured manner, e.g.,as a broadcast to all listening devices in range.

Different types and/or forms and/or amounts of information may be sentas part of each communication including, but not limited to, one or moreof current sensor measurements (e.g., the most recently obtained analytelevel information temporally corresponding to the time the reading isinitiated), rate of change of the measured metric over a predeterminedtime period, rate of the rate of change of the metric (acceleration inthe rate of change), or historical metric information corresponding tometric information obtained prior to a given reading and stored in amemory of sensor control device 102. In some embodiments, sensor controldevice 102 collects raw measurement data from the body and transmitsthat raw data (with or without signal conditioning, and with or withoutother data such as temperature data) to reader device 120 for furtheralgorithmic processing into a format representative of the wearer'sanalyte levels, which can then be displayed (or made displayable) byreader device 120. In other embodiments, that algorithmic processing isperformed by sensor control device 102 prior to transmission to readerdevice 120.

Some or all of real time, historical, rate of change, rate of rate ofchange (such as acceleration or deceleration) information may be sent toreader device 120 in a given communication or transmission. In certainembodiments, the type and/or form and/or amount of information sent toreader device 120 may be preprogrammed and/or unchangeable (e.g., presetat manufacturing), or may not be preprogrammed and/or unchangeable sothat it may be selectable and/or changeable in the field one or moretimes (e.g., by activating a switch of the system, etc.). Accordingly,in certain embodiments reader device 120 can output a current (realtime) sensor-derived analyte value (e.g., in numerical format), acurrent rate of analyte change (e.g., in the form of an analyte rateindicator such as an arrow pointing in a direction to indicate thecurrent rate), and analyte trend history data based on sensor readingsacquired by and stored in memory of sensor control device 102 (e.g., inthe form of a graphical trace). Additionally, an on-skin or sensortemperature reading or measurement may be communicated from sensorcontrol device 102 with each data communication. The temperature readingor measurement, however, may be used in conjunction with a softwareroutine executed by reader device 120 to correct or compensate theanalyte measurement output to the user, instead of or in addition toactually displaying the temperature measurement to the user.

FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, but instead depicts two discretesemiconductor chips 252 and 262, which can be packaged together orseparately. Here, AFE 252 is resident on ASIC 251. As shown here, AFE252 is coupled to analyte sensor 104. Referring to chip 262, processor256 is integrated with power management circuitry 254 and communicationcircuitry 258 on chip 262. AFE 252 includes memory 253 and chip 262includes memory 255, which can be isolated or distributed within. In oneexample embodiment (not shown), AFE 252 is combined with powermanagement circuitry 254 and processor 256 on one chip, whilecommunication circuitry 258 is on a separate chip. In another exampleembodiment (also not shown), both AFE 252 and communication circuitry258 are on one chip, and processor 256 and power management circuitry254 are on another chip. It should be noted that other chip combinationsare possible, including three or more chips, each bearing responsibilityfor the separate functions described, or sharing one or more functionsfor fail-safe redundancy.

Example Embodiments of Wireless Communication Schemes in AnalyteMonitoring Systems

Wireless communications in analyte monitoring systems, such as thosebetween a sensor control device and a reader, can present variouschallenges with respect to cost, power efficiency and economy, datareliability, and device interoperability. For example, in analytemonitoring systems having a sensor control unit with a compactform-factor, power-efficient wireless communication schemes aredesirable, especially where the sensor control device may have a smallbattery that cannot be easily replaced or recharged. In this regard,many wireless communication components on the market today are notoptimized for use in analyte monitoring systems because, as describedearlier, certain components, such as multi-function catalog SOCs, caninclude various unneeded functions that not only raise the cost of thecomponent, but can also diminish the battery capacity in the sensorcontrol device. Utilizing a simple transmit-only wireless architecture,e.g., having only the transmit portion of a radio, can also createissues of power efficiency and economy because, without the capabilityto receive an acknowledgement of receipt from a reader, the sensorcontrol device transmits sensor data at a higher rate to ensure that thereader has successfully received the sensor data as intended. In thisregard, a transmit-only architecture can also result in diminishedbattery capacity.

In addition to power efficiency, device interoperability and dataintegrity are also important considerations in selecting a wirelesscommunication scheme for an analyte monitoring system. For example, inanalyte monitoring systems where the reader is a smart phone, certainlimitations of the smart phone's operating system may cause the smartphone to be unable to receive a complete set of sensor data. Inparticular, applications on a smart phone are generally required toregister a Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) of the primary servicewith a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Application Program Interface (API) inorder for the smart phone to receive advertising packets according to aBLE protocol, so that the smart phone scans for advertising packets andcan pass the data to the application when the packets are received. Toconserve the phone battery, however, some smart phone operating systemsscan for the advertising packets infrequently, which makes the sensordata delivery through the advertising packets challenging. In additionto consuming the sensor device's battery power, sometimes the deliveryof the sensor data cannot be achieved at all because there may be asending window time constraint in the sensor design. In addition, afterthe smart phone has received an advertising packet and has passed theinformation to the smart phone's application, it will filter outadvertising packets of the same UUID. When sensor data is sent inmultiple BLE advertising packets due to the limited size of each packet,only part of the sensor data may be delivered to the phone application.

Provided herein are embodiments of power-efficient wirelesscommunication schemes for use in an analyte monitoring system that canreduce battery consumption in the sensor control device and enhance dataintegrity of the sensor data received by the reader. These embodimentscan implement these schemes using a BLE or normal Bluetooth protocol, orother protocol. These embodiments can communicate and transferanalyte-related data collected by the sensor using a relatively simplelink layer protocol that enables the reader to scan the sensor controldevice. For example, the sensor control device can transmit analyte datausing a BLE or Bluetooth transmission such as one or more advertisingpackets. In the example of BLE, scanning provides a way for the readerto acknowledge receipt of the analyte data in the advertising packetand/or request additional data from the sensor control device, e.g.,with a scan request Protocol Data Unit (PDU) or other format provided inthe BLE, Bluetooth, or other respective protocol. The sensor controldevice can interpret the receipt of a scan request as an acknowledgementfrom the receiver that it received the transmitted advertising packet.With this acknowledgement, the sensor can terminate advertising,avoiding the wasted power of continuing to transmit data that hasalready been received by the reader. Based on the scan request PDU, thesensor control device can determine whether data was not received orstored by the reader and retransmit that data using, e.g., a scanresponse PDU or other format provided in the BLE, Bluetooth, or otherrespective protocol.

Most of the complexity in BLE or Bluetooth comes with the formation of aformal pairing between devices. These embodiments permit the sensorcontrol device and reader to communicate analyte data and maintain dataintegrity without establishing such a BLE or Bluetooth pairing. Thisallows further power savings, and allows one or both devices to omit themore powerful and robust microcontroller and memory necessary toestablish and maintain such pairings, which can result in further costsavings.

As described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, sensor control device 102can include one or more processors 256, a memory 255 coupled to the oneor more processors, wireless communications circuitry 258 coupled to theone or more processors 256, and an analyte sensor 104 configured tosense an analyte level in a bodily fluid of a subject. According to oneaspect of the embodiments, memory 255 of sensor control device 102 canstore instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors256, cause the one or more processors 256 to cause the transmission ofadvertising packets according to a wireless communications protocol,where one or more of the advertising packets include data indicative ofthe sensed analyte level. Each packet transmission can be repeatedcontinuously with little or no time interval therebetween, or eachpacket can be transmitted at a regular interval (e.g., 5 seconds, 10seconds, 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes,and so forth), or packets can be sent in rapid or near-rapid sequencewith a regular interval between one sequence and the next. According toanother aspect of the embodiments, memory 255 of sensor control device102 can store further instructions that, when executed by the one ormore processors 256, cause the one or more processors 256 to terminatethe transmission of the advertising packets in response to the receivinga scan request from reader 120.

FIG. 4 is a timeline diagram depicting an example embodiment of anadvertising scheme 400 for wireless communications between two devicesin analyte monitoring system 100, which in this embodiment are sensorcontrol device 102 and reader 120. As shown at the top of FIG. 4,according to advertising scheme 400, sensor control device 102 transmitsa first advertising packet (Advertising Packet 1) in a sensor data setat time, t1, which is subsequently received by reader 120. According toone aspect of some embodiments, a sensor data set can include duplicateadvertising packets which are transmitted repeatedly in a randomizedorder. For example, if a sensor data set includes three uniqueadvertising packets (e.g., AP1, AP2, and AP3), each packet can be senttwice in one transmission sequence to achieve better delivery. Thus, inthis example, a total of six advertising packets can be transmitted in arandomized order (e.g., AP3, AP1, AP2, AP1, AP3, AP2). In otherembodiments, advertising packets in a sensor data set can be transmittedin a sequential or a non-sequential order. The sensor data set caninclude one, two, three, four, or more advertising packets.

According to another aspect of advertising scheme 400, to preventadvertising packets from being filtered out by the reader's operatingsystem (as described earlier), which would result in an incompletesensor data set, each advertising packet in a sensor data set can beassociated with a different UUID, where each UUID is registered with anAPI of the reader's operating system, such as for example, a BluetoothLow Energy API. Thus, with reference to the earlier example, sixdifferent UUIDs can be registered with a smart phone's BLE API.Furthermore, according to another aspect of advertising scheme 400, eachadvertising packet can include packet order information, so that reader120 can reassemble the sensor data set in the correct order.

Referring back to FIG. 4, sensor control device 102 continues totransmit advertising packets (and reader 120 continues to receiveadvertising packets) until the last advertising packet (AdvertisingPacket N) in the sensor data set is transmitted at time, t2. Asindicated by the horizontal dashed line, at time, t3, reader 120 hasreceived a complete sensor data set. Subsequently, reader 120 transmitsa scan request packet, also referred to as a scan request PDU, to sensorcontrol device 102 at time, t4. Sensor control device 102 receives thescan request packet at time, t5, and, in response, stops transmittingadvertising packets at time, t6 (e.g., until the next set of sensor datais ready to be sent). In this regard, in contrast to a transmit-onlywireless architecture, sensor control device 102 does not blindly andrepeatedly transmit advertising packets after the complete sensor dataset has already been successfully received by reader 120, andunnecessary power consumption can be avoided.

FIG. 5 is a timeline diagram depicting another example embodiment of anadvertising scheme 500 for wireless communications between devices inanalyte monitoring system 100, which again are sensor control device 102and reader 120 in this embodiment. In several aspects, advertisingscheme 500 is similar to advertising scheme 500 of FIG. 4. For example,as shown at the top of FIG. 5, sensor control device 102 transmits afirst advertising packet (Advertising Packet 1) in a sensor data set attime, t1, which is subsequently received by reader 120. Subsequently,sensor control device 102 continues to transmit advertising packets (andreader 120 continues to receive advertising packets) until the lastadvertising packet (Advertising Packet N) in the sensor data set istransmitted at time, t2. As indicated by the horizontal dashed line, attime, t3, reader 120 has received a complete sensor data set.Thereafter, reader 120 transmits a scan request to sensor control device102 at time, t4. Sensor control device 102 receives the scan requestpacket at time, t5, and, in response, stops transmitting advertisingpackets at time, t6 (e.g., until the next set of sensor data is ready tobe sent).

According to one aspect of the embodiment, advertising scheme 500 canalso include a “sensor data backfilling” feature which enables sensorcontrol device 102 to re-transmit previously unreceived sensor data toreader 120. In particular, sensor control device 102 can identify whichsensor data sets have not been received by reader 120 based on nothaving received a corresponding scan request packet from reader 120within a predetermined time frame. According to advertising scheme 500,if sensor control device 102 determines that it has not received a scanrequest packet from reader 120 for a previously transmitted sensor dataset, sensor control device 102 can then transmit a scan response packet,also referred to as a scan response PDU, to reader 120 at time, t7. Thescan response packet can include data indicative of the sensed analytelevel from the previously transmitted sensor data set.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram showing an example embodiment of method600 for wireless communications between a sensor control device and areader in an analyte monitoring system. At Step 610, an analyte sensorof the sensor control device senses an analyte level in a subject'sbodily fluid. At Step 620, the sensor control device transmits a firstplurality of advertising packets according to a wireless communicationsprotocol such as, for example, a Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energyprotocol. According to one aspect of method 600, the advertising packetsinclude data indicative of the sensed analyte level. Additionally, asdescribed earlier with respect to FIG. 4, the first plurality ofadvertising packets can include duplicate packets which can berepeatedly transmitted in either a sequential, non-sequential orrandomized order. At Step 630, the first plurality of advertisingpackets is received by reader 120 in the form of, for example, a smartphone. In response to receiving the first plurality of advertisingpackets, reader 120 transmits a scan request to sensor control device102. At Step 640, the scan request is received by sensor control device102. In response to receiving the scan request, sensor control device102 terminates the transmission of the first plurality of advertisingpackets at Step 650.

FIG. 7 is another flowchart diagram showing an example embodiment ofmethod 700 for wireless communications in analyte monitoring system 100,including steps for a “sensor data backfilling” feature. Method 700includes several of the same steps (Steps 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750)as the steps of method 600 (Steps 610, 620, 630, 640, and 650), asdescribed with respect to FIG. 6. According to another aspect of method700, at Step 760, sensor control device 102 can identify a secondplurality of advertising packets not previously received by reader 120.In some embodiments, the second plurality of advertising packets caninclude advertising packets containing data indicative of a sensedanalyte level which were previously transmitted by sensor control device102, but not received by reader 120. Sensor control device 102 canidentify the second plurality of advertising packets by determining thata scan request packet associated with the second plurality ofadvertising packets was not received from reader 120 within apredetermined time frame. In response to identifying the secondplurality of advertising packets, at Step 770, sensor control device 102can transmit a scan response packet to reader 120, where the scanresponse packet includes data indicative of the sensed analyte levelfrom the second plurality of advertising packets.

FIG. 8 is another flowchart diagram showing an example embodiment ofmethod 800 for wireless communications between a sensor control deviceand a smart phone, where the wireless communications are performedaccording to a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. At Step 810, a pluralityof UUIDs is registered with a BLE API of the smart phone's operatingsystem. At Step 820, an analyte sensor of the sensor control devicesenses an analyte level in a subject's bodily fluid. At Step 830, thesensor control device repeatedly transmits a first plurality of BLEadvertising packets in a randomized order, where each packet isassociated with a different UUID from the plurality of UUIDs registeredwith the BLE API of the smart phone's operating system. According to oneaspect of method 800, each BLE advertising packet includes dataindicative of the sensed analyte level. In some embodiments, the firstplurality of BLE advertising packets can include two or more duplicatepackets having the same data indicative of the sensed analyte level. AtStep 840, the first plurality of BLE advertising packets is received bythe smart phone and passed to a target application associated with theregistered UUIDs. At Step 850, based on packet order informationincluded with each received BLE advertising packet, the plurality of BLEadvertising packets are reassembled in a sequential order. Subsequently,at Step 860, in response to receiving all of the first plurality of BLEadvertising packets, the smart phone can transmit a scan request to thesensor control device. At Step 870, in response to receiving the scanrequest from the smart phone, the sensor control device can terminatethe transmission of the first plurality of BLE advertising packets.

According to some embodiments, method 800 can also include a “sensordata backfilling” feature, as described earlier with respect to FIGS. 5and 7. In particular, after Step 870, sensor control device can identifya second plurality of BLE advertising packets which were previouslytransmitted but not received by the smart phone. In some embodiments,for example, the second plurality of BLE advertising packets can beidentified by the sensor control device if a scan request associatedwith the second plurality of BLE advertising packets has not beenreceived by the sensor control device within a predetermined time frame.Subsequently, in response to identifying the second plurality of BLEadvertising packets, the sensor control device can transmit a scanresponse packet containing the data indicative of the sensed analytelevel associated with the second plurality of BLE advertising packets tothe smart phone.

With regard to the example embodiments described respect to FIGS. 4-8,it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the dataindicative of a sensed analyte level can include, but is not limited to,a glucose level, a rate of change of a glucose level, a rate of the rateof change of a glucose level (acceleration in the rate of change).Furthermore, many of the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 4-8make reference to an advertising scheme of a Bluetooth or a BluetoothLow Energy protocol. However, those of skill in the art will recognizethat any wireless communications protocol having a similar method ofunidirectional data transmission (including but not limited tobroadcasting and/or multicasting) are included within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Various aspects of the present subject matter are set forth below, inreview of, and/or in supplementation to, the embodiments described thusfar, with the emphasis here being on the interrelation andinterchangeability of the following embodiments. In other words, anemphasis is on the fact that each feature of the embodiments can becombined with each and every other feature unless explicitly statedotherwise or logically implausible.

In many example embodiments, a method for monitoring an analyte level ina subject is provided, the method including: sensing, by an analytesensor, the analyte level in a bodily fluid of the subject;transmitting, by a sensor control device including sensor electronicscommunicatively coupled to the analyte sensor, a first plurality ofadvertising packets according to a wireless communications protocol,where the advertising packets include data indicative of the sensedanalyte level; and terminating the transmission of the first pluralityof advertising packets in response to receiving a scan request from areader. In these embodiments, the wireless communications protocol canbe a Bluetooth or a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

In these embodiments, the method can further include transmitting, bythe reader, the scan request to the sensor control device in response toreceiving the first plurality of advertising packets.

In these embodiments, the method can further include, in response toreceiving the scan request from the reader, identifying, by the sensorcontrol device, a second plurality of advertising packets not receivedby the reader and transmitting a scan response including data indicativeof the sensed analyte level from the second plurality of advertisingpackets. At least a portion of the data indicative of the sensed analytelevel from the second plurality of advertising packets can be differentfrom the data indicative of the sensed analyte level from the firstplurality of advertising packets.

In these embodiments, each of the first plurality of advertising packetscan be associated with a different Universal Unique Identifier (UUID).The method can further include registering, by the reader, each of theUUID's with an application program interface (API) of the reader.

In these embodiments, transmitting the first plurality of advertisingpackets according to a wireless communications protocol can includerepeatedly transmitting the first plurality of advertising packets.Transmitting the first plurality of advertising packets according to awireless communications protocol can further include transmitting thefirst plurality of advertising packets in a non-sequential order.Transmitting the first plurality of advertising packets according to awireless communications protocol can include transmitting the firstplurality of advertising packets in a randomized order. Each of thefirst plurality of advertising packets can include packet orderinformation. In these embodiments, the method can further includereassembling, by the reader, the data indicative of the sensed analytelevel based on the packet order information.

In these embodiments, the first plurality of advertising packets caninclude at least one set of duplicate advertising packets. Each set ofduplicate advertising packets can include two or more advertisingpackets containing the same data indicative of the sensed analyte level.Each of the first plurality of advertising packets can be associatedwith a different Universal Unique Identifier (UUID).

In these embodiments, the reader can be a smart phone. In theseembodiments, the data indicative of the sensed analyte level can includea glucose level. In these embodiments, the data indicative of the sensedanalyte level can include a rate of change of a glucose level.

In many embodiments, an analyte monitoring system is provided, thesystem including: a sensor control device including one or moreprocessors, a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wirelesscommunications circuitry coupled to the one or more processors, and ananalyte sensor configured to sense an analyte level in a bodily fluid ofa subject, where the memory stores instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to cause atransmission of a first plurality of advertising packets according to awireless communications protocol, where the advertising packets includedata indicative of the sensed analyte level, and terminate thetransmission of the first plurality of advertising packets in responseto receiving a scan request from a reader.

In these embodiments, the system can further include: a reader includingone or more processors of the reader, a memory of the reader coupled tothe one or more processors of the reader, and wireless communicationscircuitry of the reader, where the memory of the reader can storeinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of thereader, cause the one or more processors of the reader to cause atransmission of the scan request to the sensor control device inresponse to receiving the first plurality of advertising packets.

In these embodiments, the memory of the sensor control device can storeinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to identify a second plurality of advertisingpackets not received by the reader in response to receiving the scanrequest, and to cause a transmission of a scan response including dataindicative of the sensed analyte level from the second plurality ofadvertising packets.

In these embodiments, at least a portion of the data indicative of thesensed analyte level from the second plurality of advertising packetscan be different from the data indicative of the sensed analyte levelfrom the first plurality of advertising packets.

In these embodiments, each of the first plurality of advertising packetscan be associated with a different Universal Unique Identifier (UUID).The memory of the reader can store instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors of the reader, cause the one or moreprocessors of the reader to register each of the UUIDs with anapplication program interface (API).

In these embodiments, the memory of the sensor control device can storeinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to cause repeated transmissions of the firstplurality of advertising packets.

In these embodiments, the repeated transmissions of the first pluralityof advertising packets can be in a non-sequential order or in arandomized order. Each of the first plurality of advertising packets caninclude packet order information. The memory of the reader can storeinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of thereader, cause the one or more processors of the reader to reassemble thedata indicative of the sensed analyte level based on the packet orderinformation.

In these embodiments, the first plurality of advertising packets caninclude at least one set of duplicate advertising packets. Each set ofduplicate advertising packets can include two or more advertisingpackets including the same data indicative of the sensed analyte level.Each of the first plurality of advertising packets can be associatedwith a different Universal Unique Identifier (UUID).

In these embodiments, the reader can be a smart phone. The dataindicative of the sensed analyte level can include a glucose level. Thedata indicative of the sensed analyte level can include a rate of changeof a glucose level.

In these embodiments, the wireless communications protocol can be aBluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

In many embodiments, a method for wirelessly transmitting data isprovided, the method including: transmitting, by a first electronicdevice, a first plurality of advertising packets according to a wirelesscommunications protocol, where the advertising packets include a firstpayload data; receiving, by a second electronic device, the firstplurality of advertising packets and transmitting a scan request inresponse thereto; and terminating, by the first electronic device, thetransmission of the first plurality of advertising packets in responseto receiving the scan request from the second electronic device.

In these embodiments, the wireless communications protocol can be aBluetooth or a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

In these embodiments, the method can further include: in response toreceiving the scan request, identifying, by the first electronic device,a second plurality of advertising packets not received by the secondelectronic device; and transmitting a scan response including a secondpayload data associated with the second plurality of advertisingpackets. At least a portion of the second payload data can be differentfrom the first payload data.

In these embodiments, each of the first plurality of advertising packetscan be associated with a different Universal Unique Identifier (UUID).The method can further include registering, by the second electronicdevice, each of the UUIDs with an application program interface (API) ofthe second electronic device.

In these embodiments, transmitting the first plurality of advertisingpackets according to a wireless communications protocol can includerepeatedly transmitting the first plurality of advertising packets.Transmitting the first plurality of advertising packets according to awireless communications protocol can include transmitting the firstplurality of advertising packets in a non-sequential order. Transmittingthe first plurality of advertising packets according to a wirelesscommunications protocol can include transmitting the first plurality ofadvertising packets in a randomized order. Each of the first pluralityof advertising packets can include packet order information. In theseembodiments, the method can further include reassembling, by the secondelectronic device, the first payload data based on the packet orderinformation.

In these embodiments, the first plurality of advertising packets caninclude at least one set of duplicate advertising packets. Each set ofduplicate advertising packets can include two or more advertisingpackets including the same first payload data. Each of the firstplurality of advertising packets can be associated with a differentUniversal Unique Identifier (UUID).

In these embodiments, the second electronic device can be a smart phone.In these embodiments, the first electronic device can include a sensorand a battery.

It should also be noted that all features, elements, components,functions, and steps described with respect to any of the embodimentsprovided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutablewith those from any other embodiment. For example, any and all of thefeatures, elements, components, functions, and steps described withrespect to FIGS. 1A-1F and FIGS. 4-8 can be combined or interchanged. Ifa certain feature, element, component, function, or step is describedwith respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood thatthat feature, element, component, function, or step can be used withevery other embodiment described herein unless explicitly statedotherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis andwritten support for the introduction of claims, at any time, thatcombine features, elements, components, functions, and steps fromdifferent embodiments, or that substitute features, elements,components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those ofanother, even if the following description does not explicitly state, ina particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions arepossible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of everypossible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especiallygiven that the permissibility of each and every such combination andsubstitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

To the extent the embodiments disclosed herein include or operate inassociation with memory, storage, and/or computer readable media, thenthat memory, storage, and/or computer readable media are non-transitory.Accordingly, to the extent that memory, storage, and/or computerreadable media are covered by one or more claims, then that memory,storage, and/or computer readable media is only non-transitory.

While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in thedrawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood,however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particularform disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritof the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, orelements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, aswell as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of theclaims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not withinthat scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communications between afirst electronic device and a second electronic device, the methodcomprising: repeatedly transmitting, by the first electronic device, afirst plurality of advertising packets according to a wirelesscommunications protocol, wherein the first plurality of advertisingpackets comprises a first set of payload data; receiving, by the firstelectronic device, a scan request from the second electronic device;terminating, by the first electronic device, a transmission of the firstplurality of advertising packets in response to the received scanrequest; identifying, by the first electronic device, a second pluralityof advertising packets comprising a second set of payload data that wasnot received by the second electronic device; and transmitting, by thefirst electronic device, a scan response according to the wirelesscommunications protocol, wherein the scan response includes the secondset of payload data.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting, by the second electronic device, the scan request inresponse to receiving the first plurality of advertising packets.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein identifying the second plurality ofadvertising packets that was not received by the second electronicdevice comprises identifying, by the first electronic device, a missingscan request from a plurality of received scan requests.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol comprises aBluetooth or a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first electronic device is a sensor control device.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device is a readerdevice.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic deviceis a smart phone.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set ofpayload data comprises one or more of a sensed analyte level, a sensedtemperature measurement, a sensed pressure measurement, a sensed forcemeasurement, a sensed acceleration measurement, and a sensedphysiological measurement.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstset of payload data comprises a first set of data indicative of a sensedanalyte level.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second set ofpayload data comprises a second set of data indicative of a sensedanalyte level.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion ofthe first set of data indicative of the sensed analyte level isdifferent from the second set of data indicative of the sensed analytelevel.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the firstplurality of advertising packets according to the wirelesscommunications protocol further comprises transmitting the firstplurality of advertising packets in a non-sequential order.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein transmitting the first plurality ofadvertising packets according to the wireless communications protocolfurther comprises transmitting the first plurality of advertisingpackets in a randomized order.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein eachadvertising packet of the first plurality of advertising packetsincludes packet order information.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising reassembling, by the second electronic device, the first setof payload data based on the packet order information.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein each advertising packet of the first plurality ofadvertising packets is associated with a different Universal UniqueIdentifier (UUID).
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising,registering, by the second electronic device, each of the UUIDs with anapplication program interface (API) of the second electronic device. 18.The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of advertisingpackets comprises at least one set of duplicate advertising packets. 19.The method of claim 3, further comprising: tracking, by the firstelectronic device, the plurality of received scan requests received fromthe second electronic device; and associating, by the first electronicdevice, each of the plurality of received scan requests with acorresponding plurality of advertising packets received by the secondelectronic device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein tracking theplurality of received scan requests further comprises tracking theplurality of received scan requests received within a predetermined timeframe.